Failed back surgery syndrome is a term used to describe a condition that happens to patients who have undergone back surgery to treat a spine condition and still experience pain and symptoms after the surgery. While FBSS is not very common, it is more likely to occur in patients who have a spine condition caused by an injury.

An injury can cause structural damage to the spine and surrounding areas, resulting in local and radiating pain. Spine surgery, however, only treats the spine. If there is injury to areas surrounding the spine, the patient might still feel pain and other symptoms after the back surgery is complete.

Types of failed back surgery syndrome procedures

There are two main types of back surgery performed — decompression and stabilization surgery. In some cases, a stabilization surgery does not end in the vertebrae successfully fusing to the implant inserted in the spine. This causes the spine to remain unstable and possibly causes more pain if the implant is impacting a nerve in the spinal canal.

As you research the risks of back surgery, we want you to keep in mind that Laser Spine Institute offers a safer and effective alternative to traditional open back surgery as well as a shorter recovery time and a lower risk of complication.^

Please take a moment to read through our articles on the risks of traditional open back surgery and failed back surgery syndrome. If you have any questions during your research, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team.

How Laser Spine Institute can help

The board-certified surgeons+ at Laser Spine Institute perform a variety of failed back surgery syndrome treatments by using a small, muscle-sparing incision in order to provide the patient with lasting relief. Our minimally invasive surgery has helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain, earning us a 98 out of 100 patient satisfaction score.^

Through a no-cost MRI review* of your spine, our dedicated team can evaluate your condition to see if you are a candidate for our failed back surgery syndrome procedures that can help you find relief from your chronic back pain and discomfort once and for all.

Additional Resources

*Our MRI review is an informational review of the MRI report that you provide to us and is not a form of diagnosis. A diagnosis and a final determination of whether you may benefit from treatment at Laser Spine Institute can only be made after you have been physically examined by our medical professionals at Laser Spine Institute. The MRI review has no value and will not be billed.